Vehicle-wheel.



PATENTED MAY- l, 1906.

M. BUNKER.

VEHICLE WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED 00T.26, 1905.

, A ix? UivrrEn srA'rEs PArENfr oEEIoE.

MARCELLUS BUNKER, OF VOBURN, MASSACHUSETTS.

VEHICLE-WHEEL.

'specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May l, 1906.

Application filed October 26, 1905. lSerial No. 284,409.

wheel for vehicles which shall have a yielding periphery adapted to yield at one portion thereof without affecting other portions or without its being necessary that other portions should yield therewith, and, further, the .object of the invention is to provide a wheel having a yielding eriphery which cannot be punctured and de ated.

The invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts set forth in the following specification and particularly pointed 'out in the claims thereof.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved vehicle-wheel, partly broken away and shown in section. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of a portion of the rini with the yielding blocks attached thereto. Fig. 3 is a detail section, partly in elevation, taken on line 3 3 of Fig..1.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

In the drawings, 8 is the hub, 9 the spokes, and 10 the rim, of my improved motor-vehicle wheel. The rim 10 consists of two annular plates 11 and 12, fastened together by screws 13 14, and when so fastened together the resulting rim 10 is provided with a groove or annular `space 15, extending around the eriphery thereof. Partitions 16 16 extend aterall y across .the annular space 15, and between each of these partitions is arranged to slide a block 17, which is referably rectangular vin shape, but roun' ed at one end 18 thereof upon. the arc of a circle concentric with the center of the hub 8. The series of blocks 17 17 is adapted to slide radially of said wheel, the outer ends ofeach of said blocks respectively projecting outwardly4 beyond the periphery of the rim 10.

Each of the blocks 17 has a ost 19 extending radially inward toward t e center of screw-'threaded engagement therewith and projecting therefrom through the annular space and into a cylindzrlical recess 2..3, formed in the interior of the post 19. A sp1# ral compression-spring 24 encircles the post 19 and projects into the annular recess 20, one end of said spring bearing against the fiange 22 and the other avainst the block 17,

Awhereby said block is held outwardly away from the center of the wheel with its curved -outer end 18 projecting beyond the .periphery of said rim.

A cross-pin 25 exten-ds through the radial pin 21 and projects into radial slots 26, formed in diametrical y opposite `sides of thepost 19. This cross-pin acts as a sto to prevent the block 17 from being force outwardly bcyond a certain point by the spiral spring 24. The blocks 17 are free to slide in the annular s ace 15 in a radial direction with relation to tiie hub 8, and said blocks are guided by the side walls 12 and 11 of the rim l0 as well as by the radial ins 21. 'These blocks form as a whole a yie ding periphery for the rim of the wheel, which constitutes, in effect, a resilient tire, each of said blocks being adapted to consecutively contact with'thesupporto`r with the ground upon which said-wheel rests during the rotation thereof. Moreover, 1f

any projecting substance, such as a stone,

contacts with any one of the blocks 17 said block'will readily yield without causing the rest of the blocks to be necessarily affected thereby.

The rim 10 has a series of ears 27 projecting inwardly from the inner flange 22, said ears being clamped' to the different spokes 9- by clamp-plates 28 and clamp screws orbolts 29.

The general operation of the device hereinbefore specifically described is as follows;

The wheel as it rotates in the usual manner.

causes the different blocks 17 to be consecu-l tively brought into contact with the ground,

and said blocks will yield slightly,. according tothe strength of the spiral springs 24. It is probable that about three of these blocks wil be in contact with the ground at one time, and as the wheel rotates one of those blocks will leave-the surface of the'ground,

while a new block will come in contact there-l with. It is evident-that a wheel of the construction hereinbefore described will present a yieldin' periphery or tire formed by the different b ocks which are held pressed outwardly by the spiral springs 24, as hereinbefore described. i'

IOO

eiaoae Havel-gang desa-ated my invasa, what claun, and desire by Letters Patent to sen cure, is-

Y struction a rim, a series of slide radially -to said wheel, the outer lend of l. A vehicle-wheel com rising in its construction a'rim, a series of locks adapted to slide Aradiall to said Wheel, the outer end of each of sai blocks, respectively, projecting outwardly be ond the periphery of said rim, each of said b ocks having a radial post in the interior .thereof surrounded by an annular recess, a series of radial pins each projectin into a recess in its res ective post, a spira spring located in `cacho said annular recesses eacirclin i said post and actin to move its res otivc lock outwardly, an means to limit `t e extent of said outward movement.

'2. A. vehicle-wheel com rising in its construction a rim, a series of locks adapted to slide radiali to said Wheel, the outer end of each osai Iblocks, respectively, projecting outwardly beyond the periphery ot said rini, aanhef said blocks having a radial post in the interior thereof surrounded by an annular recessi a series of radial pins each ada Ited to 'e its respective block in its radia y-slid- L? movement, a spiral spring located in each c said annularrecesses and actin to move ltsresctive block outwardly, an nieans to 35A vehicle-Wheel lcoin rising in its con.

lblocks adapted to e extent of said outward movement.

each of said blocks, respectively, projecting" outwardly be ond the peripheryo each of said b ocks having a radialpost in the.

interior thereof surrounded by an annular re-4 cess, a series of radial pms, each fast to said,

said annular recesses an acting to move its 'respective block outwardly, and means to linut the extent of said outward movement.'

4. A vehicle-wheel com rising in its'construction a riln, a series of locks adapted to slide radiall to said wheel, the outer end .of each of sai blocks, respectively, projecting outwardly be 70nd the periphery oi said rim,

said rim,

each of said b ocks having a radial post in the interior thereof surrounded by an annular rccess, a series of radial pins, each fast to said rim and projectin into a recess in its res ective post, a spira sprinfr located in cac of said annular recesses and acting to move its respective block outwardly, and a cross-pin fast to said pin and projecting into a slot provided in said post.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set rny hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' MARcELLUs BUNKER.

Witnesses:

CnARLEs S. GOODING,

ANNIE J. DAILEY. 

